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Chromebooks have come a long way since their beginnings as cheap cloud notebooks, and the best Chromebooks available fit the bill as alternatives to Macbooks and Windows computers. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system that can do anything these days.
Combined with affordable pricing and a solid design, Chromebooks make a great choice for kids around the house or for students heading back to school. While kids may know what a Chromebook is and what they want, parents can have a hard time navigating the wide range of apps. That’s why we’ve put together this guide of seven things every parent should know before buying a Chromebook.
1. Chromebooks have an expiration date
Every Chromebook comes with something called an Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date, after which time Google will stop guaranteeing security (and other software). While these Chromebooks won’t stop working any time soon, they won’t be as durable or efficient as newer devices that are getting updates. This fact is often overlooked by sellers who want to sell old Chromebooks for free.
Google has a list of Chromebooks and their expiration dates that you can check to see when the Chromebook you’re looking at will be out of stock. Even if you’ve got a stellar performance somewhere, the near AUE date means you’re really buying a stopgap laptop instead of something that will last for years to come.
A Chromebook doesn’t stop working when it reaches its AUE date, and if anyone wants to continue upgrading their Chromebook beyond the AUE, there is something called LaCrOs (Linux and Chrome Operating System) separates Chrome from Chrome OS, allowing the browser to be available. updates after Chrome OS receives updates. LaCrOs is a way to keep your Chromebook safe and secure.
2. Print displays are important on Chromebooks
Part of the beauty of Chrome OS is that it can keep the best Android apps running, giving the user more apps to play with. These apps, which include everything from games to educational aids, are designed to work with the touchscreen display on your phone, so they’re a great replacement for a touchscreen display on a Chromebook. And since many kids are growing up using touch screens on phones and tablets, the move to a touchscreen-enabled Chromebook is only natural.
While young children and students will no doubt get on well with using the touchpad and keyboard, having the new touch function opens up a whole level of versatility when using it. the laptop at school. Chromebooks don’t offer much in terms of print displays, so it’s best to find a laptop with a print.
3. Remember the length
When buying a new Chromebook for kids, you want something more durable. This is especially true for mature students who take their computers with them wherever they go, and in that case, one of the best Chromebook sleeves can help keep them safe. something new. It is difficult to tell when buying the best Chromebook to withstand normal use and abuse, which is why we recommend reading many reviews (business and training ) was possible. Buying a fixed item will save you from returning to the store before you’re ready to upgrade.
Likewise, it’s important to know how easy it is to reset a Chromebook if your child has a problem. A factory reset of a system running Chrome OS only takes a few minutes, and all you have to do is wait while your apps are downloaded on the new system. A parent’s job is much easier because all they have to do when the system resets is re-enroll their child so they can pick up where they left off.
4. The larger screen makes multitasking easier
Many Chromebooks focus on portability, which means a small display set in a small chassis. And while it’s great to have a laptop if you’re lugging it around in a backpack all day, there’s a sweet spot where the tradeoff doesn’t hurt productivity. Most people recommend sticking with something between 13 and 15 inches, especially if you’re buying for a student. The smaller the objects, the more difficult it is for your student to fit everything on the screen, and the larger the object, your student will find it difficult to carry.
On the flip side, if you’re shopping for a young child, you might want to get something in the 11-inch range. Smaller hands will be easier to hold, and you’ll probably pay less.
5. A flexible design adds a ton of versatility
There are three basic designs that can be found in the computer world. First, there is the standard clamshell notebook with a lid that opens to a height of about 180 degrees; There’s the 2-in-1, where the keyboard and touchpad can be completely removed from the tablet unit, and there’s the convertible with a lid that rotates around 360 degrees to stay connected. measures.
While all these types of laptops perform the same basic functions, buying a replacement or 2-in-1 for your child opens them up to more uses. They can write notes with a dynamic pen (although the Chromebook supports inking), set up the laptop for watching TV or movies, and easily use the touch function while in class form. Check out these strategies to increase productivity and ease of use for your child.
6. Battery life is very important in school
Many Chromebooks list long battery life as a major selling feature, but not every Chromebook can live up to the advertised numbers. I would say that most laptops sold anywhere in the world come with a lot of hours that you can get from a charge. That’s why it’s important to look at Chromebook reviews that offer real-world battery life testing.
Something close to eight hours is great (meaning it will last most of the school day), but if you find something important in something with less battery life, there’s always the option of adding a battery bank or some additional AC adapters. . Chromebooks use USB-C cables to connect, and any laptop charger with an oval connector will do just fine. Our collection of the best Chromebook chargers includes adapters and banks to help your child get the most battery life.
7. Get the right job for your child
Parents buying a Chromebook for young children may not have to worry too much about having the functionality to handle basic games and video streaming. Budget Chromebooks can easily handle these tasks, so don’t walk out with a thousand dollar Chromebook for your kid.
On the other hand, students may need to multitask and – depending on their age and level of education – work with programs that take up more resources. Intel’s Core processors are some of the best you’ll find in a Chromebook today. Something in a Core i3 flavor will offer great performance compared to some of the Intel Celeron CPUs or ARM-based CPUs you’ll find in budget laptops.
There is also memory (RAM) and storage to see. Chromebooks for kids don’t need more than 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. For older students, it’s more common to find a Chromebook with 8GB of RAM and more storage. This will help with multitasking and memory-hungry apps. On the storage side, a Chromebook with a native M.2 solid-state drive (SSD) will experience faster load times than one with slower eMMC storage. The amount of RAM a Chromebook needs depends on what the student plans to do on it.
Buying a good Chromebook as a parent
Parents looking to buy a new Chromebook for their kids can save the day by avoiding the pitfalls outlined here. Taking a look at our collection of the best Chromebooks can help, as these devices have been tried and tested by experts who know what to look for.
One of the best ways to get your child up and running on a Chromebook is to learn how to do it; that’s why owning your own Chromebook is a bad idea. As a bonus, you can always give it to the kids if theirs is too big or if they need a short replacement while theirs is fixed. If we think about this, the Lenovo Duet 3 Chromebook is a great choice for parents thanks to its 2-in-1 versatility, 2K resolution touch display, and many configuration options.
To recap, print displays go a long way on a Chromebook, and adding print functionality won’t increase the price in most cases. You’ll want to make sure the AUE isn’t too close in the future (or missing out on important security and software updates), and you’ll want to research the full length by reading reviews.
Then, find out what size of display is best for your child or student, and whether you want to buy an adapter to add it. Finally, make sure the hardware on the Chromebook you’re considering can keep up with your child’s workload.
Bonus support
Choosing a port is important because it can help boost productivity for your child or student. Don’t worry if others find that the ports aren’t as comfortable as you’d like. You can add one of the best Chromebook cases and docking stations to increase the ability to connect with any laptop.
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Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3
Great for grade school
The 11-inch Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is solid, has a flexible design, and doesn’t add up with expensive hardware. It’s great for little kids or elementary school students who want to use a touch screen, and get them used to the keyboard and touchpad.
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Source: Acer
Acer Chromebook Spin 513
Great for high school
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 513 is a convertible laptop with a 13.3-inch FHD IPS touch display with plenty of screen space for easy work. It has an eight-core Snapdragon 7c processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage. The best part? The battery just goes and goes. Some models have 4G LTE connectivity, which means your student can stay connected even when they’re out of Wi-Fi range (especially important in the younger years).
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Acer Chromebook Spin 714
It’s up for college
College students and young children will be involved in a process more than the usual light productivity programs, so it is better to have a computer that is suitable for multitasking. Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has a 14-inch touch display with a crisp 1920×1200 resolution, 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
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